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Flushing with the lid down

86 replies

mightyducks · 01/06/2021 23:00

Went to the gym yesterday and there was a sign on the back of the toilet door asking people to close the lid before flushing to help reduce the spread of covid 19, first time I’ve seen a sign saying this - not sure if it’s entirely true but if it could help it should be a basic public health message surely? Like washing your hands etc

OP posts:
Horehound · 01/06/2021 23:02

Tbh it should be flushed with lid down at all times anyway!

WetWeekends · 01/06/2021 23:03

@Horehound

Tbh it should be flushed with lid down at all times anyway!
Exactly, and yes of course it will help!
anappleadaykeeps · 01/06/2021 23:04

I am fascinated - I did not know that

LimaFoxtrotCharlie · 01/06/2021 23:06

None of the toilets in my workplace has a lid

legotruck · 01/06/2021 23:07

Someone posted similar the other day about a supermarket toilet. None of ours have lids!

anappleadaykeeps · 01/06/2021 23:07

I always like checking everything flushes away, and how would I do that with the lid closed. I generally do close the lid after flushing if I am worried about any residual smells.

I may completely have missed the point of toilet lids all of my life.

I am pretty embarrassed to think I might have been doing this wrong for decades.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 01/06/2021 23:11

Saw this in public health advice a year ago I am sure.

But basic hygiene anyway I think.

Monkeytennis97 · 01/06/2021 23:12

Yup. Apparently the fecal flora can travel up to 3ft out of a toilet if flushed with lid up. Nice eh?Envy

Puppylucky · 01/06/2021 23:13

I saw exactly the same thing in the toilets at work. I agree it's a basic public health message but will have absolutely no impact on the spread of covid

mightyducks · 01/06/2021 23:15

@puppylucky I guess I’m interested in if it can actually spread covid via a toilet flush .. you thinking not?

OP posts:
Alex908 · 01/06/2021 23:21

They found COVID in fecal matter, flush sprays it up in the air so I suppose a risk?

noblegreenk · 01/06/2021 23:26

I work at a large company headquarters and we have signs in the toilet cubicles asking to flush with lid down since covid.

BraveBraveMouse · 01/06/2021 23:43

Since Covid, I no longer flush public toilets without lids. I know that's gross but it's made me so aware of hygiene.

Slimmingstar · 01/06/2021 23:54

@BraveBraveMouse who do you think flushes your mess? The flushing fairy?
Nice that your awareness spreads as far as your own nose..........and no further..........

LovelyLadyLily · 02/06/2021 00:56

Always flush with the lid down even at home. I thought it was quite well known that flushing with the lid up sprays stuff around the room?

TheClaws · 02/06/2021 01:24

Always, always flush with the toilet lid down. That stuff gets around - a distance. Confused

newnortherner111 · 02/06/2021 07:15

Makes sense, perhaps others should do it. Even if just to reduce noise.

Lovelydovey · 02/06/2021 07:19

I agree much more hygienic to flush with the lid down, especially in public toilets. What is horrible though is opening a lid to find all sorts of disgustingness in there, when you’d have avoided that cubicle if you’d seen it before you went in.

Permanentlytiredout · 02/06/2021 07:33

This should be done whether Covid is a factor or not. It would certainly help to stop the spread of norovirus and other stomach bugs.

Re: Covid, it has been found in poo, so it should help to stop the spread in the same away that wearing a mask helps.

gurglebelly · 02/06/2021 07:48

I can't believe people don't put the lid down before flushing, particularly in a home bathroom where there may be toothbrushes!

Walkaround · 02/06/2021 07:57

Good manners surely dictate that you flush with the lid down, then raise the lid again afterwards, to check the flush has worked and so that the next person is not obliged to touch the toilet lid until after they have used the toilet?! What sort of selfish tosser leaves the lid closed?

doubleshotespresso · 02/06/2021 07:59

I've always done this, but most certainly all in public places should be....

sanityisamyth · 02/06/2021 08:02

I've always done this. Flushing any loo without the lid down is vile.

ZoeMaye · 02/06/2021 08:07

Sometimes I forget to shut the lid and get the ick, have to sterilise any toothbrushes in the vicinity and hot wash any towels. It's definitely meant to be shut!

I like to check it's properly flushed too. So I flush with lid shut, open the lid which is dual purpose as I can check the efficacy of the flush and have the toilet open ready for the next person.

I guess it does depend if you give a shit about the next person or not though. I try to leave the toilet as I would like to find it. So if there is no lid I would still flush even in a public loo

Leonardsgirl · 02/06/2021 08:08

I hardly ever flush with the lid down. I've survived so far. I didn't really know this was a thing.

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